Ralph Michael Saenz (born May 17, 1965), better known as Michael Starr, is an American musician who is best known as the lead vocalist of the comedic

glam metal Glam metal (also known as hair metal or pop metal) is a subgenre of heavy metal music, heavy metal that features pop music, pop-influenced Hook (music), hooks and guitar riffs, upbeat arena rock, rock anthems, and slow Sentimental ballad#Powe ...

band

Steel Panther Steel Panther is an American comedic glam metal band from Los Angeles, California. Fronted by lead singer Michael Starr, the band formed in 2000 as Metal Shop and was also known as Metal Skool before adopting the name Steel Panther in 2008. The ...

Early and personal life

Saenz was born in Chicago on May 17, 1965. He is of Spanish and Swedish descent. He was raised primarily in the

Van Nuys Van Nuys ( ) is a neighborhood in the central San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Home to Van Nuys Airport and the Valley Municipal Building, it is the most populous neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley. History In 1 ...

neighborhood of Los Angeles, where his father was a college professor. He is often cited as having a Ph.D. in English from

University of California, Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California), is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Berkeley, California, United States. Founded in 1868 and named after t ...

, however, this is a common misconception, as Saenz had lied about his education to get an apartment when his credit was being checked. He has two sons and a daughter and is married to Jocelyn Saenz.

Career

Saenz was the lead singer for the

David Lee Roth David Lee Roth (born October 10, 1954) is an American rock singer. Known for his wild and energetic stage persona, he was the lead vocalist of the hard rock band Van Halen for three stints: from 1974 to 1985, during 1996, and from 2006 to when ...

-era

Van Halen Van Halen ( ) was an American rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1973. Credited with restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene, Van Halen was known for their energetic live performances and the virtuosity of their guit ...

tribute band Atomic Punks from May 1994 to December 2008, where he used the stage name David Lee Ralph. He formed the band with future bandmate, Steel Panther guitarist

Russ Parrish Russell John Parrish (born November 24, 1970), better known as Satchel, is an American musician. He is the lead guitarist for the comedic glam metal band Steel Panther. Early life Russell John Parrish was born in Redwood City, California. ...

. Saenz was briefly the lead singer for

L.A. Guns L.A. Guns are an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1983. The lineup currently consists of Tracii Guns (lead guitar), Phil Lewis (musician), Phil Lewis (lead vocals), Ace Von Johnson (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Johnny Mar ...

, singing on the '' Wasted'' EP. He also has sung for the band 7% Solution. Saenz formed

, a satirical metal band, in 2000 with Parrish under the name Metal Shop (soon changed into Metal Skool, Danger Kitty or a commercial then into Steel Panther). The band has become successful worldwide, and has many celebrity fans who have performed onstage with them. He provided background vocals for AFI on the albums ''

Sing the Sorrow ''Sing the Sorrow'' is the sixth studio album by American rock band AFI. Recorded at Cello Studios in Los Angeles, California between 2002 and 2003, the album was produced by Jerry Finn and Butch Vig. It was the band's final release under the N ...

'' and ''

Decemberunderground ''Decemberunderground'' is the seventh studio album by American rock band AFI, released on June 6, 2006, through Interscope Records. The album was supported by three singles, " Miss Murder", " Love Like Winter", and " The Missing Frame". Recordi ...

'' Saenz also briefly appeared in the 2001 film '' Rock Star'', playing the part of a singer auditioning for the fictitious band Steel Dragon.

Discography

With 7% Solution

* ''Better Late Than Never (Mitch Perry Album)'' (1998)

With Long Gone

* ''Long Gone'' (2017)

With L.A. Guns

* '' Wasted'' (1998)

With Steel Panther

* ''Hole Patrol'' (2003) * '' Feel the Steel'' (2009) * '' Balls Out'' (2011) * '' All You Can Eat'' (2014) * '' Lower the Bar'' (2017) * '' Heavy Metal Rules'' (2019) * ''On the Prowl'' (2023)

With Metal Sludge

* ''Hey That's What I Call Sludge – Vol 1'' (2003)

Guest appearances

Fozzy Fozzy is an American heavy metal band formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1999 by lead guitarist Rich Ward and drummer Frank Fontsere. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist Chris Jericho, Ward, second guitarist Billy Grey, bassist P. ...

– '' Do You Wanna Start a War'' (vocals on "Tonight") * Gus G. – ''I Am the Fire'' (vocals on "Redemption") *

Ninja Sex Party Ninja Sex Party (often abbreviated as NSP) is an American musical comedy rock duo consisting of singer Dan Avidan and keyboardist Brian Wecht. They formed in 2009 in New York City and are currently based in Los Angeles. They are also part of ...

– '' Attitude City'' and ''Level Up'' (vocals on " 6969") * Nanowar of Steel – ''Uranus'' * Various artists – '' Peacemaker'' (featured artist in " Pumped Up Kicks") *

Crashdïet Crashdïet (often stylised as CRASHDÏET) is a Swedish sleaze rock/glam metal band formed in Stockholm in 2000. The group consists of Martin Sweet, Peter London, Michael Sweet and John Elliot. They have released six albums: 2005's '' Rest in ...

- ''Automaton'' (Vocals on
Powerline
) * Sophie Lloyd – ''Imposter Syndrome'' (vocals on "Runaway")

References

External links

Rock Pit Interview
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Starr, Michael 1965 births American male comedians 21st-century American comedians American rock singers Comedians from Chicago Glam metal musicians L.A. Guns members Living people Steel Panther University of California, Berkeley alumni